[On a Construction Site in Gwangju and Jeonnam on a Day with 100mm Rain]
Heavy Rain Forecasted Long Ago... No Waterproof Sheets Installed
Measures Needed Amid Super El Ni?o Summer Water Bomb Outlook This Year
Recently, an accident occurred at an officetel construction site in the Gwangju area where one worker was injured, but safety negligence at construction sites remains prevalent.
With redevelopment and apartment construction continuing in various locations, there is now a need for precise safety guidelines and practical measures. However, local governments responsible for management and supervision show a passive attitude, citing regulations.
On the 29th, when more than 100mm of rain fell over three days, water mixed with soil flowed from an apartment construction site in Sanwol-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, onto nearby sidewalks and roads. [Photo by Min Hyun-gi]
On the afternoon of the 29th, at an apartment construction site in Sanwol-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Due to heavy rain since the previous day, the steeply piled earth walls had water channels carved in various places, and muddy water mixed with soil was overflowing from the sidewalk right in front onto the road. Small trees were uprooted as well.
Setting aside urban aesthetics, pedestrians and vehicles were directly exposed to safety hazards. The construction site is part of a private park special project, with a total floor area of 179,369㎡ and ten apartment buildings of 24 floors above ground. Nearby are elementary, middle, and high schools, a university, a general hospital, and apartments, resulting in a high volume of foot traffic.
Although more than 80mm of rain was forecasted for Gwangju and Jeonnam, no countermeasures were found. In fact, during this holiday period, heavy rain of up to 100mm fell in Gwangju and Jeonnam.
The situation was the same at other construction sites.
In Yongdu-dong, Buk-gu, where seven apartment buildings of two basement floors and 23 floors above ground are being built, muddy water was flowing down along water channels due to continuous rain, but there were no preparations such as installing waterproof sheets.
Because of this situation, pedestrians passing near construction sites are also trembling with anxiety. On this day, Kim Hyesook (51), who was walking near the construction site, expressed her fear, saying, "I used to walk this path without any thought, but now thinking that the sidewalk could be flooded by sudden rain makes me too scared to walk here."
In construction sites, the ground is weakened by cutting or filling, increasing the risk of soil erosion. Especially when the soil at construction sites is exposed to rain, it absorbs moisture and tends to move along slopes, which can lead to soil collapse accidents.
However, since construction schedules are tight and additional costs are involved, many do not implement preventive measures, so experts agree that continuous attention from administrative agencies, which have the duty to protect citizens from disasters, is necessary.
In particular, with sea surface temperatures reaching the highest since 1982 and the occurrence of a 'Super El Ni?o' for the first time in seven years, this summer is expected to be hotter and rainier than last year, raising the need for more thorough safety management at frontline construction sites, experts explain.
Professor Choi Myung-gi of the Korea Industrial Site Professors Group said, "Before completion, construction companies must submit a 'Safety Management Plan' to administrative agencies according to the Construction Technology Promotion Act, which includes how to prepare for all risk situations, not just rain. Recently, localized heavy rains exceeding forecasts in specific areas have been pouring, so local governments, as licensing authorities, must continuously check whether appropriate safety measures have been implemented."
Regarding this, a district official said, "Although heavy rain fell for three days, no special warnings such as heavy rain advisories were issued, so no safety measures were taken. We recommend installing waterproof sheets to prevent soil runoff whenever it rains at all construction sites, but since it is left to the discretion of the project owner and is not mandatory, there are difficulties."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
